• 1 packet of enchilada or taco seasoning (I used spicy taco seasoning).
• 1 can corn
• 1 can of kidney beans (or black beans, but I think kidney beans have a better flavor).
• 1 small can black olives
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 medium onion, chopped.
• 2 chicken breasts (cooked & shredded)
• 3 cups of water
• 4 oz of cream cheese (or if you like to live dangerously like me- the whole 8oz, lol!)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or taco style cheese
• 1-2 teaspoons of Goya Adobo all purpose seasoning.
• 1 cup of rice, cooked- (add to crockpot 1 hour before serving, so rice doesn't absorb too much of the sauce).

Directions:

1. Cook chicken breasts in frying pan whole, then shred in a bowl with 2 forks. 
2. Whisk together 3 cups of water, tomato paste, Goya Adobo all purpose, and taco (or enchilada) seasoning packet into crockpot. 

3. Add corn, kidney beans, chopped onion, black olives, shredded chicken, 4 oz of cubed cream cheese, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to crockpot. Stir. 
4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. 

5. Add 1 cup of cooked rice to crock pot 1 hour before serving. Stir again.

Additional toppings to serve with: Shredded lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese.

Enjoy!

I get a lot of hits on this post! Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments, if you've tried this recipe!

These are the most amazing pork chops ever! I've made bone in pork chops using this recipe (my own) three times already... and they are out of this world. Every time we have them, I feel like I'm eating restaurant pork chops or something. They are that good! I wanted to share my simple recipe with everyone.

• 4 Bone-in Pork Chops
• 1 Large Onion
• McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning
• Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning
• Dark Brown Sugar
• Soy Sauce
• *Optional: 1 can of mushrooms (or a package of fresh sliced mushrooms).

This beef stew was made with Dollar Tree grocery ingredients. (Some Dollar Tree locations now have freezer aisles & canned/dry goods.) My paycheck has been a over $100.00 short lately because of the US Government Sequestration. So, I've had to come up with some cheap but filling dinner ideas.

• Egg Noodles from Dollar Tree 12oz bag. (Only use half the bag & don't add them until the last hour).
• 1 Package of frozen mixed veggies Steam'ables 10oz from Dollar Tree
• 3 packages of frozen Rib Eye steak meat from Dollar Tree 3oz each. Cut into small pieces.
• 1-2 medium sliced, diced or whole onions- your preference (The onions are not from Dollar Tree)

Sauce:

I mix my sauce first and whisk it together in a large bowl, then I pour it over the meat & veggies in the crock pot. Stir everything together.

• 2 cups of Water 
• 1 cup of Ketchup
• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce 
• 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoons of salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper 
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon Goya Adobe all purpose seasoning. (Red lid)
• 3 tablespoons of Flour (Whisk into sauce).

Directions: Cook for 7 hours on low in the crock pot. During the last hour of cooking- add the egg noodles and stir well. (This makes around 5 servings.)

You can add whatever veggies you have laying around, I had half a bag of baby carrots left over, so I put those into the stew as well.


Other Dollar Tree related blogs: 

My Dollar Tree is Freaking Amazing!

* Everything was purchased by myself, I am not affiliated with Dollar Tree.

I've made vegetable lasagna in the oven before many times. I just started making it in the crock pot last year. My recipe is loosely based on this awesome recipe.

Ingredients:

• Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles *(make sure the box says 'Oven Ready' noodles, these are noodles that are already slightly pre-cooked so you don't have to boil them).
• 1 jar of Tomato Sauce (I use Prego)
• Ricotta Cheese
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Spinach (Fresh or Frozen)
• 2 medium onions or 1 large onion
• 2 Yellow Squash
• 2 Zucchini
• Mushrooms (Fresh or Canned) 

Spices:

• Italian Seasoning
• Salt
• Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning
• Garlic (I use the diced kind in a jar)
  

Note: You can use whatever veggies you like. Sometimes I add Eggplant, you can add carrots, etc. (My husband isn't fond of carrots).

Directions:

I season my Ricotta cheese with the above spices. (I don't really measure, it's just to taste). Then I put a little tomato sauce in the bottom of the crock pot. Break your lasagna noodles to fit your crock pot, (it won't be perfect). Then some ricotta cheese, a little sauce and a layer of all your chopped vegetables in whatever order you choose. Then more sauce, ricotta cheese, sprinkle a little mozzarella cheese, then noodles again. Repeat until you reach the top. Noodles, sauce & the rest of the mozzarella cheese should cover the very top. Cook for 6-7 hours on low. Enjoy!

Note: This will be more like a lasagna casserole, that you can serve in a bowl. The noodles won't come out in perfect slices, but it still tastes amazing!

P.S. Someone buy me this Damask Crockpot, lol!

This is not my recipe, but one I've used for quite a few years already and love. I just baked two fresh loaves today. Yummy!


NOTE: I have altered the spices in the original recipe. I like my version better because you taste the spices more than what the original recipe recommends. (Recipe source is here). This recipe makes 2 loaves of Pumpkin Bread. You can freeze one or give it to a friend. :-)

 Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of Mccormick Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup cold water

Preparation:

This is the 2nd time I've made this. It's super yummy!

PRE-STEP: You'll want to prep your dough at least 1 or 2 days before. You can follow my Dad's homemade pizza crust tutorial here.

You can also prep the meat filling the day before. This saves time. You can store the meat mixture in the fridge in an airtight container. Then heat for 2-3 minutes in the microwave when you're ready to assemble your Stromboli.

Things you'll need for this recipe:

• Already prepared pizza dough
• 1/2 Pound of Ground Beef (or Ground Turkey)
• 1 Jar Ragu Double Cheddar Sauce.
• 6-8 slices of bacon cooked & crumpled. (I used Gwaltney brand bacon)
• 1 medium onion   
• Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning- Red Lid (It tastes good on everything!) 
• Salt 
• Pepper 
• Ketchup 
• Mozzarella Cheese (Optional) 
• 1 Egg (To egg wash the Stromboli crust with) 

(These are the deep cookie sheets I use, I love them! I got them from Walmart. They are $5.97 a piece. Better Homes and Gardens Non-Stick Bakeware 15" x 10" Baking Pan)

STEP ONE: Brown ground beef in a frying pan. Add about 1 teaspoon of Goya Adobe Seasoning to the meat. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a few shakes of pepper. (Drain out fat).


STEP TWO: Cut up your onion into small slices and fry until caramelized with a little bit of Olive Oil.

You want these nice and caramelized!

STEP THREE: Cook your bacon. What I do is line a deep pan with foil (makes clean up easier,) and then I cook my bacon in the oven 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. You want the bacon to be nice & crisp. After the bacon comes out of the oven, drain the slices on a plate with paper towels. Crumble when cool.

Before the oven.

After the oven.

STEP FOUR: Once cool, combine your ground beef, crumbled bacon and fried onions in a bowl together. Add 3/4 cup of Ketchup and mix well.


STEP FIVE: Roll out your dough on a square cookie sheet, then pour some of the Ragu cheese sauce on the dough close to the edges. Place your meat mixture next, squirt a little more ketchup and drizzle some more cheesy sauce on top. You can also place a few slices of mozzarella cheese (Optional). 

I took the handles off my rolling pin, lol. I find it easier to use that way.

STEP SIX: Slowly fold and pinch your Stromboli closed- be gentle when doing this so the dough doesn't tear. (I fold one side & then the other- towards each other- meeting in the middle). If your seam isn't perfect- don't worry, it won't show when it's on the bottom! Clean up any sauce leaks or extra flour with a paper towel. To flip- gently place another cookie sheet over your Stromboli. Pick up and gently turn so your Stromboli is now on the clean cookie sheet!

Mozzarella on mine too! (Optional)

STEP SEVEN: Slice three air holes in the top of the Stromboli. Brush with egg wash (1 egg mixed together in a bowl), sprinkle some garlic salt or Goya adobo seasoning on top. Cook in the oven on 350 for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before slicing!

Time for an egg wash & then into the oven!

Just out of the oven!

Time to eat!!! Yum! :-)

I can't say I created this, because I've seen this idea on Pinterest before. (My Pin). Most of the recipes I've seen on Pinterest, the muffins are always made from scratch. Mine is a little bit easier and just as delicious!

All you need is one box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix and four hot dogs. (I used Ball Park beef hot dogs). 1st, spray your muffin tray with Pam or another non-stick spray. Then follow the directions on the back of the Jiffy corn muffin box. Cut up your 4 hot dogs into little pieces and mix the hot dogs into the batter. Ladle mixture into a muffin tray. (Cupcake tray in my case). Cook muffins according to the back of the Jiffy Package. It should make about 9 muffins. Serve with ketchup or mustard! This is a yummy comfort food! :-)

My Mom makes a version of this with broccoli, carrots and sometimes cheese tortellini. You can pretty much add whatever ingredients you want. It's a great dish for a hot summer day. It tastes even better once it sits overnight.

Easy Summer Pasta:

• 1 box Tri-color pasta, cooked and drained.
• 1 small package of inexpensive ham lunch meat, sliced into cubes. 
• 1-2 cups cubed cheese. I used colby & extra sharp white. (I bought the bricks & cubed the cheese myself).
• 1 container of baby tomatoes. (I always halve my baby tomatoes).
• 1 small onion, diced.
• 1 can of mushrooms, drained.
• 1 small bottle of Italian Dressing.
• Parmesan cheese in a jar. 
• Salt & Pepper to taste.

Directions:

After combining all of your ingredients in a large bowl, coat pasta salad with a small bottle of Italian dressing. (As much or as little as you like. If it sits in the fridge overnight the pasta absorbs the dressing, so you may need more dressing before serving). Shake a good amount of Parmesan cheese on top of the salad and a few dashes of salt & pepper. Stir until everything is coated. Serve cold. Makes enough for leftovers.

I thought I would attempt to make this Rosemary & Olive oil bread recipe I found on Pinterest, since I've mastered making homemade pizza crust. Bread & I didn't used to get along, I was always too impatient for it to rise, lol. This is a more hearty dinner bread, it would be great with spaghetti! The recipe calls for bread flour, but I made mine with self rising white & wheat flour and it turned out fine.

I whipped up some garlic butter to put on top of the fresh sliced bread.  I mashed up half a stick of butter with some fresh chopped garlic- (I buy the kind in a jar), and a little salt all mixed together.




We had my parents over for dinner last night for a belated Mother's Day dinner. I cooked bacon wrapped chicken, sliced yellow squash & mushrooms and  Stouffer's macaroni and cheese.

Here's the table all set! :-)

I've pinned a lot of different recipes on my Pinterest page. I haven't gotten around to most of them. But there have been a few that I've tried and really really LOVE. Things that I've made more than once. I wanted to share my favorite Pinterest recipes! Dinners & Desserts!

1. Cinnamon Roll Cake









This is AMAZING. I've made it twice. Once for my husband & I. And a 2nd time to take over to my parents house. It is sooo good. And so much easier than trying to make actual cinnamon rolls (I suck at cutting my rolls even sizes). Plus this recipe is super simple to put together. Definitely put the sugar glaze on while it's still warm, because it seeps into the cake and when you let it sit for 1 whole day before eating- wow. All that sugar and cinnamon crystallizes into something out of this world! Which is why I'm sharing this recipe as #1!

2. Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies







I love this recipe! I've made it 3x's since I found it. It's super simple with only 5 ingredients and no flour! These are definitely my new favorite peanut butter cookie. :)

3. Coffee mug cake








I've made chocolate mug cake before but this coffee mug cake it even better. With butter, cinnamon & sugar. Love it! Plus it only takes about 1 minute in the microwave!

4. Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken











This is sooo good! You dip the chicken in spices, wrap a slice of bacon around it, roll it around in brown sugar & bake it. Making these again this week! (Bacon is always good! lol!) It tasted like something I'd order from a restaurant.

















Tip: This how I make my bacon wrapped chicken. I line a deep casserole dish with foil. Mix my brown sugar & spices together in a bowl. (I use McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning), roll each chicken slice in the mixture (I cut my chicken breasts in slices of 2 or 3); then wrap a bacon slice around each chicken slice. Cook for 40 minutes at 400 degrees. When it's done, use tongs and place each chicken slice on a plate with paper towels to drain the grease before serving. The paper towel step is a MUST, or else it will be too greasy. LOVE this recipe! 

5. Breakfast Egg Rolls








I didn't follow this recipe exactly. I took the idea and ran with it. You can find egg roll wrappers in the grocery, they are usually in the veggie section near the cabbage. They give you a lot of wrappers in one package, so I've put just about anything you can think into an egg roll wrapper, lol. Our favorite combo was cooked bacon, scrambled eggs & cheese. Then I fried the egg rolls with Smart Balance oil until they turned golden.

6. Bacon Wrapped Cheese Burgers.










(This is my own photo.) I saw a lot of these burgers on Pinterest, but they had way too many slices of bacon on them & were usually grilled. I put together some homemade ground beef patties (salt, pepper, splash of worcestershire sauce & 2 tablespoons of ketchup for about 1 pound of beef). Then I wrapped 2 slices of thick cut bacon around the patties, smashed them flat, lined them on foil on my deep rimmed cookie sheet & baked them for 30 minutes at 375. Top with velveeta cheese on a sesame bun. Yum! 

7. THE best homemade brownies EVER!


















These are THE BEST homemade brownies I've ever had. It's my go-to recipe. They are chewy, they are dense, and best of all easy to make, you only need some Cocoa powder and few other ingredients. 

None of these recipes are exactly healthy, but they sure are good! ;-)